Tuesday 23 August

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17; Ps 96;
Matthew 23:23-26

Justice, mercy, good faith

“The quality of mercy is not strained
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed;
It blesseth him who gives and him that takes…
It is an attribute of God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice…
We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.”

- William Shakespeare 1564-1616
The Merchant of Venice [IV i.184]